Wizards of the Coast has recently issued a DMCA takedown notice targeting a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley titled "Baldur's Village," which incorporates characters from Baldur's Gate 3. This action came despite earlier praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who had lauded the mod's creativity and the love put into it on Twitter shortly after its release.
The mod, which allowed players to experience Baldur's Gate 3 characters within the Stardew Valley universe, was removed from Nexus Mods following the takedown notice. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that the decision by Wizards of the Coast, the holder of the Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate intellectual properties, might be an oversight and could potentially be reversed.
In response to the takedown, Vincke took to Twitter once again to voice his support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He emphasized the value of fan mods as a form of appreciation and word-of-mouth promotion, suggesting that they should not be treated as commercial infringements. Vincke expressed hope for a resolution that would respect both the IP and the efforts of the modding community.
This incident might be indicative of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast concerning the Baldur's Gate IP. At the recent Game Developers Conference, hints were dropped about upcoming announcements related to the franchise. It's unclear whether the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod aligns with these plans or if it was an unintended move that might be corrected soon. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the situation.
